Over the Hedge

Review by Clint Morris

The latest CGI pleasantry from Dreamworks (Shrek, Madagascar) reminded me of both a long-term job, and a long-term relationship.

You know what I mean. Initially, there was a lot of work put in, but later, once you were comfortable in what you were doing, you slacked off a little and just put the minimum amount of work into it.

Not that you aren’t still good at your job – or can keep the flame burning in the relationship – you just don’t see the point in breaking your back in doing so. As far as you’re concerned, you end up at the same place anyway.

In Dreamworks’ case, Over the Hedge is going to make money, regardless of how many man-hours were put in, so they just decided to not to put their ‘all’ into it.

Like Disney’s Chicken Little, Over the Hedge, based on the cartoon strip of the same name, is a pretty straightforward film. It hasn’t had half the thought put into it as CGI family-film predecessors have. It’s also very restrictive, aimed squarely at the tykes, and ditching any of the ‘over the head’ jokes that made films like Shrek, and even, Toy Story, just as appealing to the folks.

Unlike Chicken Little though, this one’s actually fun – I will say that - magnum opus or not.

Spring has sprung, and Verne the Turtle (voiced by Garry Shandling) and his woodland friends awaken from their long winter’s nap to discover that a tall, green “thing” has mysteriously cropped up. Yep, a hedge has been placed between their reserve and the newly built metropolis on the other side. How will they get food now?!

Enter, a shady raccoon named RJ (voiced by Bruce Willis), who knows a way to help his new friends get some food. Thing is, he’s got an ulterior motive; he’s merely out to restock the food supply he stole from a bear (voiced by Nick Nolte).

There’s enough going on here to entertain everyone – the voice cast, which also includes Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Thomas Haden Church, Avril Lavinge and William Shatner, do a good job, and the characters are rather cute – but at the end of the day, the only one who’ll be truly impressed by the film is the 8-year-old perched up on one of those theatre seat-cushions. He won’t see that the script is rather thin, he won’t criticise the film’s all-too-short running time, and he won’t be wishing they’d make a Shatner/Kirk gag. Nope, he’ll be in family film Valhalla.

Both Disney and Dreamworks are going to have to put a lot more into their CGI movies though, if they expect to keep drawing in the adult crowds, because this one may just provoke dad to stay at home, beer in hand, and watch a footy replay, next time.

Rent it for the kiddies when it comes on DVD.

3 out of 5

Over The Hedge
Australian release: 15th June, 2006
Cast: Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, William Shatner, Avril Lavigne
Director: Tim Johnson, Karey Kirkpatrick
Website: Click here.